Nigerian Lesbian In Hiding After Reportedly Wedding 4 Women

Dramatic developments in Nigeria's un-official war against the gays. Local reports say a lesbian has gone into hiding to avoid imprisonment after marrying four women.

Reuters quotes local media in the northern city of Kano, who report Aunty Maiduguri, 45, married the four women. Some 2,000 guests were in attendance at the elaborate wedding, which was followed by two days of feasting.

Apparently, neighbors eventually tipped off authorities, who enforce the Sharia, the traditional Islamic law. Maiduguri fled and the whereabouts of her brides is also unknown.

Kano is one of 12 Islamic states in northern Nigeria that introduced Sharia law in 2000 and homosexuality a capital crime. "As defenders of Sharia law, we shall not allow this unhealthy development to take place," Rabo Abdulkarim, deputy commander of the state Islamic police, told ThisDay newspaper.

Federal law also bans homosexuality. Anyone convicted faces up to 14 years behind bars. In addition, the government is considering legislation condemned across the world that would strip gays and lesbians of all civil rights. Complete coverage HERE.

Nigerian Lesbian Eludes Arrest, Weds 4 Women [CNN]

Some Background ...

Nigeria One Step Closer to Outlawing Gays [R20] Gay Nigerians Speak Out [R20] Nigeria Prepares to Outlaw Gays [R20] Nigeria to Ban Gays Meeting [R20] Who is Archbishop Peter Akinola? [R20] Harsh New Nigerian Laws [R20] Nigeria's Anglican Archbishop [R20] Nigeria's Islamic Sharia Law [R20] UK Deports Gay Nigerian [R20]

Comments

[Jim]

There are a couple of features of this story that require a cultural explanation for those of us not in Nigeria, or at least not in West Africa.

First, the woman who performed these marriages is no doubt aware that Sharia law obtains in northern Nigeria. And she must be aware of the extreme anti-gay bill the Nigerian parliament is considering making into law. So, does she marry lesbian couples just because she has superhuman courage? Or is there another aspect to this that I don't understand?

Similarly, 2,000 people attended these weddings, at least according to the reports. Well, are all these people vicious homophobes who just came for the free food? Or is there another aspect to this that I don't understand?

Could we have a northern Nigerian (ideally) explain this to us better?

[taylor Siluwé]

I agree, Jim.

Something seems strange. I can see the woman being couragious and defying the law. Understandable. But 2000 guests taking the activist role?

This story needs clarification.

[Jim]

Well, according to this article in the BBC, Aunty Maiduguri is claiming that she has never even heard of the word "lesbian." The party, she says, was actually a fundraiser for the women's marriage to men.

A little strangely, all four women who are being charged with getting married are actresses in the local home-video industry, says the BBC.

Also: "A Kano police spokesman told the BBC that his officers were not actively looking for the women, but would arrest them if need be."

What does that mean?

I suspect a bit is lost in our cultural ignorance here.

[Survive your partner's affair]

well, i think these lesbian must have some sense of thinkkng and fear so she ran away and hid after marriage